Newcastle Transport Operator Starting 2018 With a Fresh Timetable

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle's private transport operator will certainly be starting the new year fresh when it comes to its transport network.

Keolis Downer announced their new Newcastle Transport network today which will be introduced from January 14, 2018 running across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

More than 1200 bus and ferry services, or 25 per cent more services, will be added to the timetable and the whole network is aimed to improve connections between suburbs and town centres. Services will run every 15 minutes during the day.

Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason said they've used a lot of community consultation from both people who use public transport and those who don't, to create the new timetable.

Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason.

"We really need to get them out of cars and onto buses and ferries so we've had a very extensive program of community engagement and programs to get input via our website, social pinpoint interactive site, direct representations and of course hearing from our staff."

The transport operator says they'll be carrying out a lot of communication to the public about the changes between now and January 14 including through advertising, the newcastletransport.info website which has an interactive map allowing you to drop a pin into the area you want to go and get details on the services which will be going through that particular point. 

Keolis Downer also plans to have an online travel concierge, customer service operators throughout the city and pop up sessions. 

Campbell says they've designed a network to better connect with train services as well.

"Obviously we have connections running into Cardiff, Broadmeadow Station and the Newcastle Interchange itself. One of the key things as I mentioned we've been hearing from the Lake Macquarie area, Swansea and Belmont in particular, is the need for better connection through to Cardiff."

The revamp of the system will also see the route numbers change from being three digits to just double digits.

"One of the things that we've been keen to do is to make sure we have a new network and have new and revised routes we need new numbers. Our experience has shown that people will be confused if you try and keep the old route numbers and change the route," said Campbell.

"Toxic Dysfunction" of Government Eroding Williamtown Solution

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson believes the "toxic dysfunction" of the State and Federal Governments has derailed their ability to find a solution for Williamtown.

The MP flew to Canberra yesterday to meet with Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne and Head of the PFAS Taskforce Senator James McGrath to demand answers.

But she says she came away disappointed with no answers, only being told that a number of options were being considered.

Senator Payne stated during the meeting that "defence stands ready to do whatever is asked of it from the Government".

Senator James McGrath and Senator Marise Payne at
Williamtown in May this year.

"I think it really speaks to the bigger problem that we have a Prime Minister who is incapable of making a decision and is battling to keep his job and batting off people that want his job. The buck stops in Cabinet, in Cabinet is where the big decisions are made," said Meryl Swanson.

Meryl Swanson said she came away with one startling revelation - Defence wasn't asked to come to Williamtown for the latest Williamtown Community Reference Group briefing where the Environmental Protection Authority informed residents the 'management area' or Red Zone had been expanded to include another 250 properties.

She says to get anywhere, everyone needs to work together, not pit everyone against each other.

"The last thing we want is the NSW Government and the NSW agencies like the EPA and Health, pitting Defence against the community. We need to be working together on this."

Meryl Swanson says a little bit of fault lies with all of the parties involved and she won't stop fighting for Williamtown until the problem is solved.

"The next step for me is to get back to Canberra on Sunday and go into next week continuing to push hard. I'm going to again contact the Prime Minister and say what is going on here and I'm going to continue to fight for the people of Williamtown like I have been."

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson at Williamtown in May this year.

Blueprint for the Future of Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A blueprint for the next 20 years of living in Newcastle has been created with everything from transport needs to housing.

The Draft Greater Metropolitan Plan has been released this morning looking forward to what the region should look like in 2036 and what challenges it presents.

Gary White, the NSW Chief Planner was in Newcastle this morning to announce the plan and said the city is a great example of one that has completely transformed from being just an industrial town.

"It's all about telling a story, a very exciting story about a city transforming itself from an industrial base into a new world economy over the next 30 years, it's a city which I believe will be talked about around the world as being an exemplary example of how a community transforms itself."

"When you start to hear things about cruise boats coming into your harbour when you start to hear about the strength that's coming out of the education sector, the strength that's coming out of health, your starting to see the front end of the very exciting process of the transformation of Newcastle," said Gary White.

The plan includes plans for the continued revitalisation of Newcastle, the growth of and our use of aerospace, and being strategic about the delivery of housing and jobs.

Local Mayors, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald and
NSW Chief Planner Gary White at Fort Scratchley this morning.

Gary White says looking forward it's important to think strategically particularly when it comes to jobs.

"We need to create jobs in the right sectors, the sectors such as education, the sectors such as health an also recognising that there's a creative economy and a creative manufacturing economy. There are sectors associated with defence, they're all emerging, they're all opportunities that are presenting themselves for our future community as we go forward."

Greater Newcastle is expected to grow to 700,000 people in 2036 with the potential to continue growing well past that date.

"I believe in 10, 15, 20 years time people will be very proud to say they've come from Newcastle because I think it will be an exemplary example of a city that has transformed itself into a modern economy," said Gary White.

The plan is on exhibition until February 28 next year
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Greater-Newcastle-metropolitan-planning 

Trial Of On-Demand Buses Starts Soon In Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Residents in parts of Lake Macquarie will be able to take part in the trail of a new On Demand Bus service in the new year.

Commuters in Warners Bay, Mount Hutton and Dudley will be able to book a bus to pick them up and take them to where they want to go in the designated "on demand' area.

It's a step up from having to wait for regular bus services on designated routes.

Newcastle Transport operator, Keolis Downer says the trial runs for 12 months from January.

Doors Locked On Would-Be Armed Robber At Mayfield

BY IAN CROUCH

Locked doors have foiled a would-be armed robber at Mayfield early Thursday morning.

A man armed with a knife went to the 7-11 on Maitland Road just before 3.00am, but couldn't get inside the store because the attendant had locked the doors.

He kicked the front doors before leaving the area.

The man's described as being 180 centimetres tall with blonde hair and was wearing a black track suit.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Newcastle Police Appeal For Help To Find Missing Man

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help from the public to find a man who's gone missing from the Mater Hospital at Waratah.

26-year-old Brodie Gilbert was last seen at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

Concerns are held for Jamie's welfare and it's believed he may have been heading towards Mayfield North.

Brodie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 180cm tall, of thin build with short brown hair, and medium complexion. He also has a piercing on his right cheek bone and several tattoos. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt and blue baggy denim shorts.

Police are urging anyone who sees Brodie, or knows his whereabouts to contact Waratah Police station via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing Man Brodie Gillbert

Police Investigate Stabbing In Newcastle CBD

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was stabbed in Newcastle last night.

Just before 3 o'clock, an 18-year-old man left a club on Wharf Road because he was feeling unwell.

Inside, the man's friends allegedly became involved in an altercation with another group of people and they were all thrown out of the club.

Outside, the 18-year-old's friends joined him, but shortly the man and a male from the other group became involved in a physical altercation.

Several punches were thrown between the pair, but the 18-year-old was also stabbed in his head and hand with a small knife.

The offender and his group fled while the injured man was assisted by his friends.

Police from the Newcastle Local Area Command established a crime scene seizing items for forensic examination.

The injured man was treated at the scene before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital.

The offender is described as being in his early 20s with red hair.

Anyone with any information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

Wharf Road Newcastle is closed between Argyle and Watt Streets following a stabbing incident early Thursday morning.

Police were called Argyle Street just before 3.00am to reports a teenager had been stabbed following a fight.

They found an 18-year-old lying on the road with stab wounds to his face near the Argyle House nightclub.

He's been taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue.


BREAKING:

Wharf Road in Newcastle has been partially closed to traffic due to an ongoing police investigation.

It's understood officers are investigating reports of a stabbing in the city.

It's believed the incident took place in Argyle Street.

No further details are available at this stage.

Newcastle Court Workers stage walk-out

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The judgement's in: working conditions at the Newcastle Courthouse are unfair, according to the Community and Public Sector Union.

This morning, Newcastle Court employees walked off the job for half an hour in a bid to draw attention to low pay and tough conditions in the under-resourced Court.

Members of the Union met outside Newcastle's Commonwealth Law Courts with Federal MP, Sharon Claydon, who is championing their cause for improved conditions.

The planned stoppage comes in the wake of an offer from the federal government to increase the Court workers' pay by just one percent; an offer rejected by 69% of Union members.

"Court staff have gone well over four years without a pay rise, and are still facing unfair cuts to their workplace rights and conditions," Union member Bronwyn Parris said.

"That's on top of the recent mergers, job losses and even more disruptive changes they know are coming," she continued.

Ms Parris said today's strike was part of ongoing industrial action that the courts are taking nationally, however it represents the first time local family court staff have been forced to resort to a walk-out.

"After four years of stuffing around, it's well and truly time for the bosses to wake up to reality and work with us on a just outcome."

Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) members met with Federal Member for Newcastle @SharonClaydon outside the Commonwealth Law Courts to outline the conditions that have led to them taking strike action for the first time in decades. pic.twitter.com/eFxvO62b5D

— Newcastle Herald (@newcastleherald) November 29, 2017

"I Fear Politics May Have Played a Part": Councilor Penfold

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The decision by Maitland City Council to vote against investigating two proposals is being questioned by Independent Councillor Philip Penfold.

Councillor Penfold put forward two motions, one being to look into re-fitting the front section of the Walka Water Works pumphouse building to make way for a cafe and toilets and the other idea to investigate a multi level car park in Maitland's CBD.

Deputy Mayor Sally Halliday as well as the other Independent councillors voted for the motions, but Mayor Loretta Baker and others voted no.

"I was disappointed to see that they weren't supported by the mayor and a slim majority of council. I think they're very important to the people of Maitland, they want to have the ability to sit and relax and to eat at the beautiful Walka Water Works. They want to opportunity park conveniently near The Levee that we've just spent $10 million on," said Councillor Penfold.

Proposed site for Maitland car park Image Councillor Philip Penfold Facebook.

He says he didn't agree with the reasons they gave against the motions.

"To be honest I fear politics may have played a part,"

"There was some suggestion that if a cafe is not going to make a motser then it shouldn't be built."

"People didn't like to, for some reason have multi story considered. There seemed to be a strong view that purely single story is what should be considered for Maitland's CBD. I find that odd, Maitland is growing at a very rapid rate. Maitland and the CBD is proving very popular," said Councillor Penfold.

Councillor Penfold says the motions have a lot of support from the local community which he has seen online and head from in-person.

A petition for more parking in the CBD received 529 signatures from the community who agreed there was a lack of parking for business owners, staff and customers.

"It's not rocket science to see that in the future multi story car parking will be requires, people want convenience and the site I spoke of was less than a block away from the Levee," said Councillor Penfold.

Police Call For Witness after Late Night Stabbing in Mayfield

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are looking for anyone with information after a man was stabbed at Mayfield late last night.

Police say at about 11:30pm, a group of people were arguing at a unit complex n Hanbury Street before a fight broke out which ended in a 15-year-old man allegedly receiving stab wounds to his left leg and hand.

The man was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition, while police established a crime scene.

A 16-year-old was spoken to at the scene and arrested but later released from Newcastle Police Station pending further inquiries.

Anyone with any information and anyone who was a witness is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

The Missing Link For Munibung Road

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The missing link on Munibung Road is right around the corner with construction on the 820 metre stretch of the road set to start in the new year.

Lake Macquarie Council has called for tender submissions to find a contractor for the job which will greatly improve the link between Boolaroo and Cardiff.

Mayor Kay Fraser says it's time the area went back to the boom it once was.

Mayor Kay Fraser, Adam Wakeman and Tony Farrell from the council.

"Obviously it was a huge employment generating area so we're wanting to put back what was there so hence the reason to built the road so we can have the employment generating businesses back in there,"

"We've set the money aside and we actually got some money from the government and that's to open up the old Pasminco land so that will release all of that land and great opportunities for residential and also for economic development," said Mayor Fraser.

The extension runs through the former Pasminco smelter site, and the council hopes the former site will again become a booming economic area like it once was.

The link is also crucial to the development of the Lake Macquarie Transport interchange linking the suburbs.

"Residents travelling in that area, that will cut down on their travel time and it's also another new access for business using that route so tenders will close and we'll probably assess them early in the year and then start building that road," said Mayor Fraser.

Tender applications are open until January 23 next year.

Queens Wharf "Phallic Symbol" To Be Demolished

BY JESSICA ROUSE AND IAN CROUCH

It's been deemed as embarrassing by Newcastle Council.

Council voted last night to demolish the Queens Wharf Tower by the middle of next year.

Interim CEO, Jeremy Bath says the 30 metre observation tower is an embarrassment to the city due to its unfortunate shape.

"I think we all know that it has become something of an embarrassment to the city, not something that we can be proud of and frankly Newcastle is better than having a 30 metre high phallic symbol down at one of the most prominent parts of the harbour," said Jeremy.

Newcastle's Queens Wharf Tower Set To Be Demolished

He says the tower is expensive to maintain and by demolishing it, ratepayers will be saved $1.6 million over the next four years in repair work.

It also doesn't have wheelchair access, it is constantly the target of vandals and it's also council's most complained-about asset.

The decision has certainly gathered some attention on social media today, with many reliving much-loved jokes and throwing around ideas about what could be done with the tower instead.

"I think those who are questioning it are largely doing it with their tongue certainly in their cheek," said Jeremy.

It's hoped a historical replacement will be an option. The tower was erected in 1988 and opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her bicentenary visit to Australia.

Council adds the tower doesn't have a purpose anymore because it was connected to bridge over the railway tracks which no longer exist.

"You can simply walk across the road to get into the CBD and the tower holds no purpose other than to be a subject of regular amusement to visitors to our city who ask the inevitable question, why?" said Jeremy.

The Interim CEO says you still have time to take one last hike up the tower.

"Certainly for the next six months until council takes the tower down people will have the opportunity, if they're mad enough frankly, to go up one last time but I do stress to people it is quite a hike, it's not particularly safe and once you get up there there's only one way down."

Mambo Wetlands DA Withdrawn

BY IAN CROUCH and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Port Stephens residents fighting a proposed development on a former school site in the Mambo Wetlands have been given some welcome news.

The developer behind a proposal to build a duplex on the site has decided to withdraw his development application.

It clears the way for a more permanent solution for the site, which could now be compulsorily acquired by council.

The state government has previously acknowledged the sale of the land in the first place was a mistake.

Councillor Jamie Abbott has announced she will move a motion at the next council meeting in December to acquire the site as a reserve, with the state government to foot the bill.

"I want the site returned to public ownership and included within a new consolidated Mambo Reserve to be protected and managed by Council," she says.

"To achieve this, I've put forward a motion at the next Council meeting so that we can recognise the high biodiversity value of the Wetlands, and the community's aspiration to see all underdeveloped blocks protected under a consolidated reserve," she continues.

"I want Council to negotiate the acquisition of the land (being the NSW Department of Education school site within the Mambo Wetlands).

"I want to see an updated management plan be prepared in consultation with the community, and I want to see funding sought from the state government to ensure local ratepayers are not required to pay back the public land within the Mambo Wetlands site.

"Our community has been thrown into turmoil and distress by the DA which many believed threatened the viability of the entire Wetlands. That's why I want a permanent solution- so residents are not forced to battle this issue again and again."

She says the community, in particular the local Aboriginal community, highly values the Wetlands, which also provides invaluable habitat for local koalas.
 

Port Stephens Councillor Jamie Abbott

Worker Threatened During Armed Robbery At Mount Hutton Service Station

BY IAN CROUCH

A worker has been threatened with a knife during an armed robbery on a service station at Mount Hutton.

A man entered the Caltex outlet on Wilsons Road just before 9.00pm on Tuesday and demanded money at knife point.

The service station attendant handed over cash from the till and the man fled on foot.

He is described as being about 180-185cm tall, with olive skin and of a thin build. He was last seen wearing a blue beanie with white writing, a white bandana across his face, black leather jacket and dark pants.

Inquiries are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.